EcoWaste Coalition is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions
to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.

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11 May 2019

2019 Senatorial Candidates to Defend Ban on Waste Incineration

Several candidates gunning for 12 Senate slots led by
reelectionist Senators Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay and Grace Poe and former Bayan
Muna Party-list Representative Neri Colmenares won praises from environmental
groups for their clear and strong positions in support of the national ban
against waste incineration that is enshrined in two major pollution prevention
laws.

In the pre-election survey conducted by the EcoWaste
Coalition and No Burn Pilipinas, along with the Green Thumb Coalition,
senatorial aspirants were asked if they support or oppose proposals to repeal
the incineration ban in the Clean Air Act (RA 8749) enacted in 1999, a landmark
piece of legislation that was further strengthened by the passage of the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act (RA 9003) in 2000.

The candidates were further asked to reveal what
legislative or oversight remedies would
they introduce to ensure that RA 9003 and zero waste programs are
mainstreamed across the country.

“We are encouraged and energized by the positions of some
senatorial bets on keeping the incineration ban intact, which surely is a boost
to our advocacy. We need many strong voices
at the Senate, as well as in the House of Representatives, to preserve and
uphold the waste incineration ban –- an essential resource conservation and
pollution prevention law –- amid undying threat to have it repealed,” said
Glenn Ymata, Campaign Manager, No Burn Pilipinas.

“Environmental health groups, informal waste workers and
affected communities are keeping a close watch on recurring attempts to rescind
the ban on waste incineration and propagate ‘waste-to-energy’ incineration as
‘solution’ to the country’s garbage woes.
We intend to work with our pro-environment and pro-sustainability
lawmakers to have the incineration ban effectively enforced,” said Aileen
Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

The responses of candidates Aquino, Binay and Poe,
together with Neri Colmenares, Leody de Guzman, Florin Hilbay, Sonny Matula and
Erin Tañada, according to the groups, provided a much-needed shot in the arm
for the country’s zero waste movement.

“I approve of technologies that do not constitute
incineration,” declared independent candidate Grace Poe, who added that she
“fully supports policies that pursue energy diversification, focusing on
renewables, geothermal, and natural gas, to eliminate the need for
waste-to-energy facilities, reduce our dependence on coal and oil, and prevent
or reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidate Nancy Binay
was equally uncompromising in her response. “I will oppose (proposals to repeal the incineration ban),
and seek ways to minimize or all together stop the generation of waste.” She added: “There is a need to take a look at
the national budget and ensure that the law is funded, from the budget proposal
up to the President’s signing of the General Appropriations Act. The DILG
should look at the compliance of local government units with the law, and
strictly incorporate and institutionalize environmental protection in their
Seal of Good Local Governance criteria.”

“The ban on incineration in the Clean Air Act should be
retained and defended,” stated Makabayan candidate Neri Colmenares. “RA 9003
puts the largest burden of achieving zero waste on LGUs.

While we can put up stiffer penalties and strengthen
oversight on LGUs towards zero waste, what is missing is responsibilizing other
key actors that are more responsible for waste generation –

manufacturers and industry in general.”

“This is a track we want to study about waste reduction and eventual
elimination,” Colmenares said.

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino candidate Leody de Guzman asserted that “the
incineration ban in the Clean Air Act should not be removed,” a decision
unanimously adopted by the last National Congress of BMP.

Federation of Free Workers candidate Sonny Matula pointed
out that “environmental laws should be synergized,” adding that “the incineration ban under the Clean Air Act
and the Ecological Waste Management Act should prevail over the provisions
under the Renewable Energy Law that inadvertently allowed waste-to-energy
projects.”

Aksyon Demokratiko candidate Florin Hilbay also declared
he will oppose proposals to repeal the incineration ban.

On the other hand,
Gary Alejano of Magdalo Party-list clarified: “Although I have initially
filed a bill promoting waste incineration, because of its actual utility in
addressing the waste problem, I am open to act on alternative solutions.” He cited anaerobic digestion plant as a wise
solution for biodegradable solid waste.

Chel Diokno of the Liberal Party, said: “I will keep an
open mind on waste to energy (the burn kind) once we reach 80 to 90 percent
segregation. Even then I would be
skeptical but nevertheless open to the possibility.”

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is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups pursuing sustainable solutions to waste, climate change and chemical issues facing the Philippines and the world.